convertable carseats

My boys are no where near the weight limit for their seats, they are only 17lbs but they are long and they just look so scrunched in their seats. Especially with winter they just get so hot all smashed in their seats with heavier clothes on. Anyway I borrowed my brother's truck last weekend and just used the convertible carseat that he had in there for his son and they just lookes sooo much more comfortable. He had an EddieBauer seat that wasn't that expensive around $120 but when I looked it up on-line it didn't have very good reviews. Just curious what everyone has and how they like them.

 

We have Graco ComfortSport seats, a little older version because one belonged to my oldest and the other to my niece. They worked well and they were about $80 a piece.

 

We have the evenflo triumphs. My two like it better then their infant seats and it became a much better car ride!

 

QUOTE(Sarah© @ Nov 17 2007, 02:38 PM) [snapback]499956[/snapback]
We have Graco ComfortSport seats, a little older version because one belonged to my oldest and the other to my niece. They worked well and they were about $80 a piece.


Keep in mind that Graco seats expire 6 years after Date of Manufacturing (printed on seat). I am not sure how "old" your older version is, but not everybody is aware of this.

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I have 2 Marathons for the twins (RF) and 1 Radian 65 for my oldest. All larger seats with higher weight limits and high top slots, since all 3 kids are in the top % for both height and weight. I want to keep them harnassed as long as possible, since it's safest.

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Convertible Seats

Fisher Price Safe Voyage Deluxe (FPSVD): RF 5-33 lbs, FF to 55 lbs. 17 inch top harness slots. Made by Britax, sold under the FP name - basically a stripped down Britax Marathon. Great seat being sold at excellent prices right now. Will last most kids to age 5-6. Supposedly discontinued due to poor sales, but Britax is still manufacturing them as of this month and they have been shipping with brand new DOM’s. ($129)

Britax Roundabout: RF 5-33 lbs, FF to 40 lbs. 15.5” top slots. Smaller version of the Marathon, Decathlon or Boulevard. Allow for RF tethering. All the Britax bells and whistles, easy to install. Because of lower top slots and lower weight limit many children will outgrow this seat around age 3-4 ($150+), before being ready for a booster seat.

Britax Marathon, Decathlon, or Boulevard: RF 5-33lbs, FF to 65lbs. 17-17.5 inch top harness slots. Allow for RF tethering. Basically built on the same shell, all have lockoffs to replace locking clips, very easy installs, many bells and whistles that make them easier to use correctly every time. Boulevard has SIP wings. Boulevard and Marathon have separate LATCH straps, Decathlon has one long strap. Last most kids to age 5-6. ($220+)

Sunshine Kids Radian (65 or 80): RF 5-33lbs, FF to 65 or 80 lbs. 18 inch top harness slots, and allows child’s shoulders to go up to 1 inch above the top slots because it’s built on a steel frame. Allows for RF tethering. Excellent seat, but it has installation compatibility issues in some vehicles when installed with seatbelt. Lasts most kids to age 6-7. ($175+)

Evenflo Triumph Advance: RF 5-35 lbs, FF to 50 lbs. 17 in top harnass slots. Features infinite harness adjuster - no rethreading the harness! Should last most kids to age 5 or so. Has been found at Babies’R’Us and Wal-Mart. ($130-150)

Recaro Como and Signo: RF 5-35 lbs, FF to 70 lbs. 19 inch top harness slots. Allow for RF tethering. Recaro makes seats for NASCAR. Built on basically the same shell, but the Signo will have SIP wings, an infinitely adjustable harness and separate LATCH belts. Will last most kids to age 6-7. ($249).

Lower cost options... (for primary or secondary cars... they are still GREAT seats)

Cosco Scenera (5pt harness NOT Overhead shield): RF 5-35 lbs, FF to 40 lbs. 15 inch top harness slots. Very basic no frill seat. 34” minimum height required for FF in addition to 22 lbs minimum FF weight. Lasts most kids to age 3-3.5 due to low top slots and a short shell, but a good value at $40-50. Available at Wal-Mart, Target, K Mart and more.

Safety First Uptown: RF 5-35 lbs, FF to 40 lbs. 16.5 inch top harness slots making this is the ONLY 40lb limit convertible that may actually get a kid to 40lbs before it’s outgrown by height. EPP foam, super cushy. Very easy to use and with an 8 yr lifespan! (most seats are 6) Will last most kids to 40 lbs... age 3 or 4 depending on height. (about $100)

The Graco Comfort Sport, Evenflo Titan and Triumph, and all the Cosco/Dorel/Eddie Bauer 3-in-1 seats have low top harness slots and short shells and are usually outgrown the same time as the Scenera. You don’t get much for you money. While they are safe when used properly (like any seat), there are just other options that offer more for the same cost.

 

Currently, we actually have 2 Radian65s and 2 Marathons sitting in our living room- we're going to stick 'em both in the car, and try 'em both out w/ the boys before we decide which we like better and which to take back! :laughing: But the reason we went w/ those two to pick from is the high slots (DH is 6'5" - so if the boys take after Daddy, the height will be needed) and I'm all about keeping the little ones harnessed as long as I can.

 

I have comfortsports as well and the babies love them. They are so padded and soft. I almost wish they made them for adults!

 

Evenflo Triumph Advance: RF 5-35 lbs, FF to 50 lbs. 17 in top harnass slots. Features infinite harness adjuster - no rethreading the harness! Should last most kids to age 5 or so. Has been found at Babies’R’Us and Wal-Mart. ($130-150)

This is what we have. My kids love them. Never a peep out of them in the car!!

 

We just got Britax Boulevards for early Christmas presents from Grandma & Grandpa. I LOVE them!! Jackson had cried the entire duration of EVERY car ride since his birth. He has now been on 3 rides in the new seat and hasn't cried once. I'm in heaven... they are worth their weight in gold to me!!!!!!!

 

Evenflo Triumph Advance---and we love them.
It took a little whielto get used to.
My babies are chunky monkies and we had to take out teh extra butt pad so that the belt wasn't pressing ontheir chunky thighs.
Once we figured that out they work great!!

 

Thank you for this post. My DD cries during EVERY car ride and I am hoping that moving her into a convertible seat will help. Keep the suggestions coming, particularly those with infant seat car criers whom have now turned into excellent driving companions as a result of the convertible seat!

Amy